. And if we get loose we
may be able to escape."

"No, don't try that part of it," advised Mr. Baxter.

"Why not?"

"Because, angry as he now is over not finding the gold, Callack would
probably order us shot at once. If we wish to save our lives we will
have to go slow. Try to loosen the thongs, by all means. That, as Fred
says, will warm us up. But even if we get loose it will be advisable to
stay in the tent. For, if we should manage to get out, we could not go
far without dogs and sleds, and it would be impossible to harness the
animals unobserved. No, boys, we'll have to stay here awhile and take
our chances."

The Indians had been in such a hurry to tie their captives so that a
search might be made for the gold that the knots were not very secure.
It did not take a great deal of exertion to undo them, and the three
were able to stand up and stamp about, thereby warming themselves.

"I feel better," announced Fred. "Now if they'd bring us in something to
eat we wouldn't be so badly off."

"I wonder how it goes with poor Johnson," said Mr. Baxter. "That was a
cruel blow he received. Callack shall pay for that some day."

"He's a brute!" exclaimed Fred. "I wish I was big enough to fight him."

"I fancy if Johnson ever got at him in a fair fight Callack would wish
he had never tried any of his tricks," observed Jerry.

Anxious hours passed. The captives, looking from the tent, saw Callack
and several Indians grouped about the supplies they had taken from the
sleds of the prisoners. They were appropriating to their own use such of
the articles as they fancied, while Callack, unwilling to believe the
gold was not there, was minutely examining every robe and garment,
hoping to find part of the treasure concealed in the folds, or sewed up
in them.

It was getting lighter with the approach of morning, though the days
were successively getting shorter and shorter as the winter season
advanced.

At last Callack became convinced that there was no trace of the gold to
be found in the baggage of his prisoners. He gave up the search, and,
calling to some of the Indians, ordered them to replenish the campfires,
which had died down in the excitement over the attempted escape.

"I hope he thinks to send us some breakfast," remarked Fred, as from the
tent the captives saw the Indians preparing a repast.

"He's not very likely to, unless he thinks that by getting us in good
humor we will tell him where the gold is," s